Just Arrived 4 : The Silver Needle, Fine Needlecraft Materials

Part 4...
Sampler Roundy from Shakespeare's Peddler This is CHARMING!!! Grab a 10 x 10 cut of 32ct linen, and whip up this fun ABC sampler using 6 different Sampler Threads. LOOK at the letters seemingly scattered on top... I can read 'birds, cat, boat, flower, '... and they're all pictured there... but it's so cleverly scattered... one might miss it! Pretty navy, wines, taupe and a bit of yellow, the center is tufted with one of Homespun Elegance's Olde Brass Buttons. What makes this Roundy so darn cute, is that Little Roundy Base it's perched on! Teresa told us how to make those... so it's our next Saturday's Shop Gal Project of the Day... we're going to make a bunch for you! Like a miniature 6-inch foot stool, the bases stand approx 3 inches high, so your finished Sampler Roundy will be totally unique, charming, and unlike anything you have now! Painted and waxed in black, maybe you have something else you want to finish like this, too? Stitch on any bit of 32ct linen from your stash. Need a Roundy Base? They are available separately, and hand-made lovingly by the Silver Needle Saturday Gals!
Bargello Biscornu (and Scissor Fob!) from The Victoria Sampler Ohhh... stitch this awesome little cushion in either Christmas colors, or dusty blues and lavender... leaflet is the same... you simply have two color-pack choices! Victoria Sampler has added a bit of Hardanger Embroidery to 5 of the panels of this 15-sided Biscornu. Actually, there isn't much stitching in this at all! It just looks that way. Simple Bargello and Lazy Daisies with silk ribbon adorn the 10 stitched 2 x 2 squares, Hardanger, the other 5, and do you notice that the Christmas version has wrapped bars done in gold metallic? Just lovely! As always, the leaflet and charts are beautifully done. If you own the Beautiful Finishing IV Book of Thea's, it contains dozens of photographs for biscornu assembly, and can help with your finishing. Stitched on 28ct Platinum Cashel or Antique White Linen, although each tiny square needs only a 3 x 3 piece to work on... you may want a bigger cut to fit in your stitching frame. We can cut you any size!
Poinsettia, Holly and Rose Humbugs from Faby Reilly Designs Lovely, elegant Christmas ornament designs by Faby Reilly Designs of Paris, this tiny trio of 2 x 2-ish ribboned florals will look pretty on your tree. *Beautifully Charted* for DMC floss and Light Effects metallics, each features Mill Hill glass beads, too. Work them on any 28ct count you like... the charts come with a page of NINE actual photographs of the Humbug assembly procedure -- terribly easy when you see the pics! We don't carry much of the Light Effects thread... we like Rainbow Gallery's Petite Treasure Braid, as the color range is much wider, and the threads themselves are softer and more pliable. We can send all the necessary threads, beads, metallics and fabrics you need. These are really nice!
Yuletide Hornbook from Milady's Needle This is a set of ornament designs that are stitched on 40ct linen, then mounted onto a 2-5/8 x 2-5/8 wooden hornbook shape. Even though the package shows each design stitched twice, one on white and one on navy... there are only 2 pieces of fabric included -- not 4, and only 1 hornbook form. It does include the red and white silks to get you going... and we do offer those little wood pieces... so life is good! Cute designs, very cute finishing idea!
Halloween Pocket from Olde ColonialStitch a small 4 x 4-ish Halloween Pocket to store some thread winders, or special photo, some lists, a gift card... anything small. This complete kit is packaged in a retro Halloween paper box that is decorated with vintage paper designs, and features a wooden cut-out on the littered lid. The box itself is cute... and you don't need to do a THING to enjoy it -- no stitching or anything! Open the lid to find your stitching kit inside! The cat and pumpkin pic is stitched on 32ct Antique Almond Linen in Sweet Potato, Seaweed and Bark Weeks Dye Works overdyed flosses. The kit includes some gorgeous brown pumpkin fabric to construct the pocket, ribbon and bead hanger, interfacings and all the assembly instructions -- along with actual photos of Pam's finishing process. Complete, and compact!
Pointed Linen Stockings from Olde ColonialThese little guys are so whimsical in flavor -- the curved shapes are so cheerful! (Although Pam was not cheerful after she hand-cut all the fabric pieces to make them!!!) Measuring approx 4-1/2 inches at the top and 8 inches long, each fabric stocking features a 32ct linen triangle cuff for stitching. Each stocking (assorted fabrics available) faces right, and all have a gold wired-ribbon hanger. Cute as can be, they're kind of large to be considered an ornament, I think, but they'd be darling hanging on a HUGE Charlie Brown Tree, or from garlands or wreaths! Olde Colonial offers a chart packet that contains 4 different cuff designs and charms for each -- but you might have something else in your stash you've been dying to stitch that might work for these, as well.
Halloween Towne from Raise the RoofHere's a happy little street -- 'The clocks striking midnight as leaves twirl around, the pumpkins are sleeping in Halloween Towne.' Stitched on 32ct linen, this finishes approx 4 x 17-1/2, and sports luscious Belle Soie Silk colors of purples, cinnamon, piney greens, dark chocolate, and rusty oranges. Each building has its own neat tree, or that charming lamp post, and together with the button set, it's quite the happening place! Offered as the chart with plenty of Belle Soie Silks, buttons offered separately.
Tricky Treats -- Meet Ms Screamy Mimi and Mr Jackie Lantern! from Just NanTwo ravens in Halloween attire, Screamy Mimi and Jackie Lantern can be little ornaments as well as tiny needlecases! Stitched on Weeks Dye Works 30ct Gunmetal linen -- you'll need one cut for each bird. Stitched with DMC floss and a bit of Weeks Trick or Treat hand-dyed floss along with Punch Purple holographic braid for Jackie, and Laser Lime for Mimi, each finishes a petite 1-3/4 inches in size! (Just precious -- like Lila, Pinkie and Daisy -- The Needle Tweet Sisters!) Nan offers each as the chart, with their special finishing materials. You receive chart, instructions, embellishments, interfacing, fleece, felt for beaks, snip of ribbon for tail (check 'em out -- designer tails!), wire legs, BITTY BOO, and a hanging ring. Little Bitty Boo is that darling teeny-weeny spider that might be their next meal!!! Nan suggests that you paint their little wire legs with bright orange and purple nail polish... just for fun! Awfully CUTE!!!
Owl Winder Pocket & Mr Owl, Himself! from Just Nan This 3 x 3 tri-folded pocket holds Nan's newest Jeweled Owl Thread Winder! *Is this Hootzie in person???* A darling companion to Hootzie, the back (front?) of the pocket features 4 glaring owls, while the front features the stitched pocket that holds this little guy! How Cute is that? Stitched on 28ct Opalescent Cashel linen in DMC flosses -- the chart does include a bit of overdyed silk that adds a burst of color around the edges, instructions, the lining felt, and chipboard stabilizer. Mr Owl features Swarovski crystal eyes and fire opal glitter... so he's quite eye-catching... especially peeking from his special case! WHOO knows is this is really Hootzie or not??? He IS darling! The winder is available separately from the case.
Favorite Embroidery Stitches from Bareroots Oh my gosh, this is The Most Charming little project/primer book!!! Designed as Stitch-Guide type of thing... the white pages deliver embroidery stitch diagrams and general stitching tips. THEN, the pockets feature pull-out sheets of the patterns and templates for all the charming projects pictured throughout the little 6 x 6-inch square spiral-bound folder-folio! You get designs for ball-fringed pin cushions, 6 different 'Sweet Thoughts' hanging pillow designs, 2 darling mini-candle mats -- one is Christmas, the other is hearts -- and a pattern for the Crazy Stitched Pocket Purse! All is worked in good-old-fashioned floss -- and some of the featured stitches include Stem, Lazy Daisy, Chain and Rosette, Feather, Fly, Herringbone... you get the idea. Just the most delightful presentation for awesome little projects, the artwork throughout is just lovely!
Strawberry Sampler from Sampler Cove This is a stunning multi-stitch band sampler by Sampler Cove! Not for the weak-of-stitcher, it finishes an impressive 11 x 24 over two on 32ct. Stitched in either silks or DMCs, the colors are bright and bold -- super-pretty brilliant reds (666, 321, 814 and 816), golds (728, 780, 782, 783) and greens (3011, 3012, and 3013). It features 11 different stitches -- you'll notice the 2 blocks of Bargello near the center, there is lots of Double Running, Queens, Eyelets, Spider Webs, Long Arm, Satin, 4-Sided... it's just an awesome piece! Split it up and stitch just a few parts (those Bargello blocks are killer-cool!), decorate a basket with one of the bands... make some ornaments or fobs... there is a lot you can do with this, a lot to enjoy, without committing to stitching the entire design! Offered as the chart.
Emmanuel from Carolina House 'God is with us.' Inspired by a trip to Israel, and all the colors of the limestone buildings, walls and roads in Jerusalem, this sampler Is dedicated to all those who keep the light of faith alive in a troubled world. Finishing approx 7 x 12 on 32ct Cream Belfast Linen, this is charted for silks, and features Cross, Bullion Knots, Satin, Woven Acorn, Backstitch and Herringbone Stitches! Offered as a chart.
Spooky Town and Dream! OK... WAY OUT OF SEASON with these two... Mill Hill has released two leaflet designs that are actually very cute... but they just seem so out of time right now! Dream, by Sticks, is a very frosty and wintery scene -- 5-1/2 x 9 -- the huge moon, snow topped pines, and enticing Christmas gifts -- the dark night sky -- all is stitched with DMC flosses on 14 or 28ct deep Nordic Blue fabric. Spooky Town offers the main haunted house scene, plus take-outs of 6 different 'scary' creatures! There is a little wizard owl and a frog prince... it's a cute Halloween design, stitched in DMC and garnished with lots of glass beads. Both designs are offered in leaflet format.
Eggs Ala Round from Glendon Place Wow... you won't want to hide these eggs before Easter! Glendon Place has outdone herself with this colorful medley of beautifully decorated eggs! Eggs Ala Round features 16 different eggs -- all coded for 45 different DMC or Anchor flosses, 9 metallic #4 braids, and 12 colors of Mill Hill beads and even Gentle Art's Spring Grass hand-dyed floss for the greenery. Finishing approx 13 inches round on 28ct linen, I think what makes this piece so incredible is that almost all the eggs are designed on a diagonal, which is really hard to do! So many different stripes and spots, each little egg is charming just by itself! Wouldn't they be pretty stitched (even on several different colors of linens) and finished into egg shapes, and all tucked into a basket of Easter Grass? The larger eggs all measure approx 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 while the smaller ones run a bit over 1 x 1-1/2 inches. Just pretty, pretty, pretty! Offered as a leaflet.
Elizabeth Jane from Blackbird Designs Blackbird's final design in their 12-part Anniversary of the Heart Series has arrived! Remember Me.... personalize this with YOUR name instead of Elizabeth Jane's! This leaflet also includes the final bonus pattern that works into the entire 15-part collection. All houses, all parts designed to be personalized to commemorate people and places in your family history, that bonus pattern is needed in case you are working all 15 parts on one piece of fabric. All the leaflets in this collection are still available, but I do not expect that to last for long. Blackbird does NOT re-print designs as they sell out... so if you fall in love with any or all of these in the Anniversary of the Heart Series - DO NOT WAIT to get them! The 1/2yd cut of R & R 30ct Olde Town Blend Linen is currently on backorder... but we can add you to our Wish List for that if you like! Each house is charming by itself, and stitched on various shades of hand-dyed linen.
Sweet Home Mantle -- Gram's Clock from Bent Creek Bent Creek's 3rd and final piece of their Sweet Home Mantle piece has arrived. All the cute and cluttered things that Grandma might have on her mantle -- they all 'say' Home Sweet Home to us! Of course, as a stitcher, my favorite trinket on there is the tomato pin cushion on it's black stand! 'There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day.' Cool verse, this needs to hang in a hallway or family room. Offered as 3 kits... the first part features the daisy vase and verse on the left-side, the 18ct natural linen cut, with threads and charts for mantle base as well. Part two has the pups below the willow, and part three includes the pin cushion, bird and clock part.
Kind Friend Gift Bag and Accessories from Jeannette DouglasWell, this is the neatest presentation for a small gift to a special friend! Stitch the pretty little 2 x 3 sampler on 32ct Flax linen with the flosses and perles provided in the kit, and embellish with beads -- also included. THEN, cut apart the bit of lace that is also included to get your lace medallion for the bottom area. All the Gift Bag kits are coming with different bits of lace in them.. so all those bottom medallions vary! Anyway, tack on the lace, backstitch around the sampler, fringe out the linen, and tack it at the four corners with the 4 teeny-weeny micro-buttons also included, tuck your special gift (or lavender, etc) inside the organza bag, draw closed the ribbon, and you're ready to present your lovely creation! Offered as the complete kit of organza bag, chart, flosses, beads, buttons and lace, this is only $12! You supply the linen and needle.
Fresh Arrivals from Madame La Fee A lovely box from France arrived this week... wrapped in purple paper... lots of customs stickers and pretty little stamps scattered about the package... We TORE it open to find some darling new charts we've never carried!!! Madame La Fee's designs are creative and have a classy, contemporary feel to us. Offered in chart format, I can't read a word on them... except the DMC numbers -- the Universal Language for Stitchers!!! We just love all of these... and hope you can find one or two in the new offerings to make it to your stitching basket!
Resin Animal Magnets Hey, remember all these little resin magnetized animals? We have some really cute ones in this collection from England... BUT... are not able to re-order them anymore from our supplier. As we sell out of ours, they will be gone forever. Mahogany Brown or Antiqued Ivory, each little animal feels heavy in your hand, and is magnetized inside. You can perch your needle on one, even your smaller scissors. Just something fun for anyone who loves a special animal... this is beginning of our Last Call on these!
7-1/2 Inch Leather Scissor Sheath from Dovo Quite the generous piece of leather... this sheath is serious! It measures 7-1/2 inches long and 2-1/2 inches at the wide opening. It is designed to protect your 6, 7 and 8-inch scissors and shears. Embossed with a tiny DOVO logo, they are a dark, dark navy... but look black to me. Keep them away from your doggie who likes to chew -- mine smells heavenly -- fresh, soft leather!!! (and I'd have a snack if I were your puppy!!!) Wonderful protection for your larger scissors.
Evergreen Lane from Blackbird Designs Blackbird's 11th in their Anniversary of the Heart Series for 2010, this house features pines and pomegranates, and has a winter flavor. Choose a family member or event that took place during this winter time of year, and commemorate! Was there always a place you went every year, as a kid, for Christmas??? Personalize this with that information! Pretty, rich overdyed colors... we have only one more month to go in this series... PLUS a bonus pattern. Currently, we still have all available!
Santa & The Reindeer Christmas Mantle from Bent Creek The third and final part of Bent Creek's Christmas Mantle scene, this is such a bustling, colorful, FUN Christmas piece! An entire village is set up on top of the mantle, and all the family stockings are hanging below! Each stocking has a bit of room at the top for some backstitch personalization -- pick your 5 favorite members of the family (!!) -- or leave names off. You can also take each stocking from the design and stitch it individually as an ornament! (They run approx 30 x 40 stitches -- so a perfect size for an individual piece.) The entire scene is now published. The first kit offers the red button embellishments and the linen cut. The 2nd and 3rd kits offer the rest of the chart, and necessary threads.
Ragamuffin Santa from Simple Stitches Oh my gosh... this is the cutest little stuffed Santa! Stitched on 30ct Weeks Chestnut Linen in Weeks hand-dyeds or DMC flosses, you stitch him, assemble him in the same finishing treatment as a stand-up, add some raggy fabric legs, and he sits on a sill!!!!!! Attach a little present in his sack if you wish! Raggamuffin Santa measures approx 5 x 6, before you add his legs. Offered as a chart, you'll need your own finishing instructions for the stand-up assembly part, and some cute fabric for legs, and a bit of black felt for boots. Our Magic by Mona can assemble this darling little guy SO beautifully for you when your stitching is finished!!!
Halloween Garden from The Primitive Needle Primitive Needle has a silly little design -- our resident Halloween Witch is at home watering her garden of mushrooms and ghourds! Instead of birds and butterflies, her garden has a toad, and he's going to get wet! The owl in the moon, and keys to unlock secret spells... this is one delightfully scary little garden! Offered as the chart, we also have it packaged in a little muslin drawstring sack with a cut of either 30 or 35ct Weeks Putty hand-dyed linen, which is actually a few dollars less than purchasing just the chart and separate fabric cut. Finishes approx 6 x 7 depending on your linen size.
New Teresa Layman Cross Stitch Designs! Our favorite 'Knotty Lady' has transformed 4 of her current miniature Knotwork designs into Cross Stitch! Offered in chart format, you can stitch Cocoa Chanelf, Milton Cookies, Peppermint Twister, Rosie the Ribboner and Twinkle Toes in DMC flosses on any fabric you want!! Together on 28ct Cashel Linen, they finish 7 x 17... OR, you can stitch 'Leave a Light On' on 28ct Navy Lugana with DMCs and both Weeks and Gentle Art overdyes. OR... you can click the pic to see Teresa's other designs, and choose a favorite! You'll recognize all of these as larger versions of her charming Miniature Knotwork collection.
The Halloween Branch -- It's Finished! from Bent Creek The final installment of the Halloween Branch is here... oh my gosh... it finishes off with a DARLING little haunted house on the tip of the branch! There is so much going on in this piece... what fun to stitch! OK... Bent Creek has now finished 4 of these Branches - and we have them ALL -- COMPLETELY! Check out the Original Branch, Christmas, Patriotic and now Halloween. All four are really cute sets of smaller charts that all fit together... we can send parts of any of them... or wholes!
Santa Bear and Santa's Surprise from Teresa Kogut I couldn't resist two new Punch Needle designs when I saw them at Market last week! Teresa Kogut does Christmas so well... I think this little bear (3-3/4 x 4-3/4) is absolutely precious -- colors, shape, face, everything! Santa's Surprise (3 x 4-3/4) would be neat finished onto a brick for a doorstop! Both are Punch Needle offerings, and include the line design pre-stamped onto weaver's cloth, ready to punch. Each is coded for DMC or Weeks overdyed floss -- even the total number of skeins required whichever colorway you choose. Each uses a #3 Needle.
Whimsical Lampwork Glass Pins Wow... here are three Snazzy Sets of hand-made glass fused onto Counting Pins! How can you NOT fall in love with these??? We have a Halloween Witch's Hat pin, with two matching Side-Pins. Next, is a mouth-watering trio of glass strawberries! Can't you picture those poked into a pretty pin cushion or sewing case??? Our Little Black Kitty set features that kitty with 2 coordinating pink, green and black glass pins... such a retro-looking set! Sharp points (these ARE pins!) on these 3-inch pins, they are festive poked into so many of your pin cushions, pillows, sewing cases... just anything! Use them as garnishes at the tops of ornaments and stand-ups -- poke them right into the knot of the bow. Don't just use these as counting pins... think of all the places the darling kitty or that witch hat would be cute as an embellishment and STICK IT! Each set features 3 Pins.
Super-Duper-Long Glass Headed Hat Pins Oh... these are fun for bigger pillows, bigger sewing cases... all the places the little pins go... only these are the BIG GUNS! Choose between a snowman, Jack-o-Lantern or the Witch's Hat... each of these 4-inch pins features a darling handmade glass Lampwork bead as its garnish! So much more interesting as a garnish to a piece, than simply a button or charm stuck into the bow on top... these are classy, AND affordable!
Annie Hyssop's Harvest Moon from The Primitive Needle Presenting one of Primitive Needle's newest designs, this has a beautifully colorful farmhouse and barn surrounded by all the scary things that go bump in the night on Halloween! The weathervane is fun, the moon and the little bats -- I like those the best! Of course the scarecrow in the graveyard IS a bit scary... this whole thing is a burst of color and Halloween Mischief! Stitched on Weeks Tin Roof Linen in overdyeds, its stitch count is 100 x 200. Click the link to see the rest of PN's new things!
Halloween from Elizabeth's Designs Elizabeth's designs has a really cool design for Halloween -- very simple, actually! Halloween is spelled out in plain letters, but each letter is 'garnished' with a spider web, bat or crow. The row of pumpkins below is very organized and full of Sweet Potato and Tiger's Eye Weeks Dye Work's color... and that saw-tooth border is simply Satin Stitches of Tobacco Road! Stitched on Weeks 35ct Mocha Linen, the colors really caught my eye, the balance, and those charming spider webs that seem to cling to every nook and crook of those letters -- just like they stick in the nooks and crannies of my house!!! Offered as a leaflet, cute to add some crow or spider buttons, too!
Joy to Ewe from Chessie & Me Chessie's 2010 Limited Edition Scissor Fob/Ornament is darling! Stitched on 32ct Vintage Meadow Rue Linen from Lakeside, the colors of Belle Soie Silk included are gorgeous. Creme de Menthe, Herb Garden, Old Crow, Red Fox, Teddy Bear and Vanilla Pudding... the little sheep body is cross stitched and then scattered here and there with French Knots on top of the crosses. Charming, this finishes approx 2 x 3-3/4 in size -- a perfect ornament size! Offered as the complete kit of chart, linen and silks.
Presenting: The Bird Cage! from Just Nan A day of pampering in the Fine Feathers Salon at The Polka Dot Palace!!! Just Nan has designed us a darling sewing case full of bright pink, green and purple flirty birds!!! 'The Gals' spending the day at The Bird Cage Spa! Click the pic for lots of details and more pictures... our little birds grace all sides of the 6 x 6-ish case, which is stitched with DMC floss on 28ct Newport Linen. Inside you'll find lots of Just Nan Treats! Ms Dotty Bird is a handpainted Charm Garden Pin, exclusive to The Bird Cage. Next, find the vintage, enameled bluebird thread winder tucked into the polka-dot band that holds your Needleslide and favorite scissors (not included, in case you already have them!) 'Scissors and pins and needles that shine, Helping to make these stitches so fine.' A darling sewing case, The Bird Cage is exclusive to The Silver Needle, and limited in edition! Nan insists Hot Pink, Slime Lime and Purple are my signature colors... therefore... the Perfect Palette for our little Polka Dot Palace! Enjoy the rest of the Bird Cage details!
Spooky Spirits of Tombstone Hill from Just Nan Nan has delivered us the most charming tuffet full of her signature Halloween charm! Little Spirits that are restless and ready to scare... Tombstone Hill's Graveyard is stitched atop your cube cushion, surrounded by little creepy and colorful Just Nan creatures on each of the 4 sides. The resident ghost care-taker (really Nan's very own Tombstone Ghost Charm Pin) floats above his yard -- just making sure you are truly intimidated by his little domain! Offered as the chart, with little Tombstone Ghostie Care-taker pin, striped pumpkin-colored beads, and 'eerie-eyes' paper banding to decorate the cube base, Spooky Spirits of Tombstone Hill is stitched on 28ct Thunderstorm (neat, grungy, black, purply-grey hand-dyed... nothing else like it!) Cashel linen in DMC flosses, with a bit of Gentle Art's Forest Glade and Garden Gate, as well as the new Kreinik Holographic Black #4 Braid! Your little Tombstone Hill cube will finish approx 3 x 3... you might recognize the shape... as this is a Halloween companion to Nan's Tea With Honey, and needs to be the family graveyard behind Nan's Scream House!!! Over-The-Top so CUTE, it's scary!!!